title: The need for third-line treatment in non-small cell lung cancer: an overview of new options.
abstract: As a result of improved effectiveness of first-, second-line and maintenance therapeutic regimens in non-small cell lung cancer, there is need for new options as third-line treatment. Erlotinib and gefitinib are currently the only drugs of proven efficacy in the third-line setting. Chemotherapy drugs, such as pemetrexed, are being investigated, as are many new agents, such as cetuximab, sunitinib, sorafenib, everolimus, enzastaurin, afilbercept. These novel targeted therapies seem to improve response rates and progression-free survival and their toxicity is tolerable. In an effort to prolong survival while maintaining quality of life, large prospective studies are needed to examine the effectiveness and safety of third-line regimens in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece. knsyrigos@usa.net
authors.forename: Kostas N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Syrigos
authors.forename: Muhammad W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Saif
authors.forename: Eleni M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Karapanagiotou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oikonomopoulos
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Marinis
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib; D005971:Glutamates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005971:Glutamates; D011799:Quinazolines; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib